16 days
There is no doubt that Thailand is one of the best destinations for honeymooners, not only in Asia but around the world. A romantic escape against the backdrop of turquoise waters and white beaches, but enriched by an incredible cultural heritage. This unique itinerary, created by Conscious Journeys, is dedicated to those who want to travel in an ecological way. A cruise on the Chao Phraya river will take you through the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, you will be guests of a tribe settled in a hilly area and will stay in a remote eco resort, nestled in the forest, and then relax on one of the most beautiful islands in the world ; depending on the season you can relax on the wonderful island of Koh Lipe, in the Andaman Sea or in the heart of the Gulf of Siam on the island of Koh Tao from April to September. Throughout the itinerary, hotels full of charm have been selected, but also respectful of sustainable tourism policies, with local employees and suppliers. After the first two days in Bangkok, from which the journey to discover this country will start, along the road to Chiang Rai you will visit the most important cultural and historical sites. On a traditional barge to transport rice you will have a relaxing cruise between Bangkok and the city of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO heritage site. The cruise allows you to visit the old Siam and observe the fascinating life of the people living along the Chao Phraya river.
In Chiang Rai you will be hosted at an eco-friendly community-based establishment set in the hills of Northern Thailand. The structure allows you to spend holidays knowing the tribes settled on these hills and also to go hiking or learn the art of Hmong batiks while attending a lesson. The profit made from your stay will be used for projects dedicated to the community that aim to improve living conditions. Finally, from Chiang Mai a flight will take you south, where the perfect ‘zen’ hotel is waiting for you. Not only for the exceptional location on one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand or for the superb panoramic scenery, but above all for the soul of the place itself. The resort offers Yoga classes, wellness and healing treatments and also routes for long walks on the island. It is also possible to go scuba-diving or swim in complete tranquility. It is possible to do this incredible honeymoon during the whole year from October to March on the island of Koh Lipe while from April to September on the island of Koh Tao. Both hotels selected on the two also have an excellent restaurant specializing in the preparation of dishes based on fish, always fresh, located more internally, to ensure relaxation, comfort and tranquility to customers.
Day 1: Bangkok
Bangkok
Arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport by morning flight (Suggested flight arrive not later than 08:00 am). Meet with guide and transfer to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel Later in the morning, you will be collected by your guide to experience a Canal tour, starting from the Mahasawat canal’s pier. The canal tour now begins, you will be taken on a local boat along the canal to the attractions that start from Lotus Farm or Water Lilly Farm, you can pick lotus flower by yourself and get a chance to try boat paddling with the beautiful scenery. Then we will go to learn how to cook Rice Crackers and try the best local snack here and have Lunch at Local Restaurant. After lunch, we continue our journey by taking a local boat to visit an Organic Fruit Farm. Taking a local tractor we will ride into the fruit orchards where fruit is organically grown and free from pesticides and other chemicals. You can enjoy a tasting of whatever fruit is in season. (Local Tractor riding is subject to availability). On the way back, visit Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), built in the Khmer-style and return to the hotel by coach. Overnight at hotel.
Overnight in Bangkok (-L,-)
Day 2: Bangkok
Bangkok
American Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from the hotel, travel to Wat Traimit, famous for its Buddha image made from 5.5 tons of pure gold. After crossing the bustling streets of Chinatown, you will reach the Royal Palace, built in 1782, with its roofs of gold and marble glittering in the sunshine. This tour offers an opportunity to the better understanding of the splendor of Thai architectural forms centuries past, the worship of Buddhism and the high respect Thai people hold for the monarchy. You can also visit Wat Phra Kheo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), the Tower of the Nine Planets, the Coronation Hall and Funeral Hall (Coronation Hall and Funeral Hall are close for any visit during weekends and public holidays). Proceed to Wat Po, with its stately Reclining Buddha image some 46 meters in length, also the site of the famous school for Thai traditional massage. In the late afternoon you will have a chance to experience a traditional Thai massage from visually impaired therapist. Let’s switch on your senses, here in the dark it counts for nothing whether your eyes are open or closed. The one-hour experience designed to offer an insight into how blind people live. We can say this is one of the most valuable experiences in exploring our non-visual senses and even can change our mindset. Afterward, you will be led to experience Thai Massage by blind (selective of 60 minutes body massage or 60 minutes foot massage). We let blind therapists demonstrate their unique talent for massage therapy as they are able to fully focus on their sense of touch in a way others cannot.
Return to the hotel for an Overnight. (B, -, -)
Day 3: visit Damnernsaduak
Bangkok – Damnern Saduak – Kanchanaburi
American Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Damnernsaduak, Thailand’s liveliest and most picturesque floating market. People from neighboring villages arrive on the waterways in their loaded sampans to sell or barter all kinds of goods including vegetables, fruit and flowers offering scenes typical of country life in Thailand. From the market, continue to visit Krasae Cave where currently housing some Buddha Statues. Along the way, walking on the old railway track with a spectacular part of the Death Railway running beside steep slopes of the mountain side. It is one of the most interesting part of the railway because of its wooden bridge and is still in working condition. Have lunch at local restaurant. Then, take a train along the Death Railway route to River Kwai Bridge. River Kwai Bridge, built by Allied prisoners of war and Asian laborers. Upon arrival at the bridge, enjoy free time with spectacular view in the area. Check in at the hotel.
Overnight in in Kanchanaburi. (B, L, -)
Day 4: cruise to Ayutthaya
Kanchanaburi – Ayuthaya – Sukhothai
American Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and depart from the hotel at approximately 07.00 hrs. to the ancient kingdom of Ayutthaya are one of Thailand’s most precious historical sites. The 715-acre area has been listed the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991 as it portrays the heydays of one of the largest kingdoms in Indochina history. Lunch at local restaurant. Then, continue the journey to Sukhothai (approximately 5 hours drive), once was the capital of the first Kingdom of Siam in the 13th and 14th centuries, with arrival late in the evening.
Overnight in Sukhotai (B, L, D)
Day 5: Sukhothai
Sukhothai
American breakfast at hotel, Visit Sukhothai Historical Park and around including Wat Mahathat, Wat Sri Chum and etc. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, walking along Sanghalok street where can see how to produce the traditional Sukhothai pottery called Sangkhalok. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Overnight in Sukhotai (B, L,D)
Day 6: Chiang Rai
Sukhothai – Prae – Chiang Rai
American breakfast at hotel, check-out and depart to Chiang Rai (approximately 7 hours drive). Lunch enroute. Stop to visit “Ban Thong Hong” in Phrae, a famous village for the distinctive “Mor-Hom”, the indigo dyed, cotton, farmer’s shirt seen all over Thailand under the trademark “Made in Phrae”. Check in at hotel in Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai for Dinner and overnight.
Overnight in Chiang Saen (B, L, D).
Day 7: Chiang rai
Chiang Rai
After breakfast, go to meet the local wisdom who is expert of Lanna believing. At the Lanna house, you will experience making your own Lanna merit set and take it offer to the matched temples in Chiang Sean. As Lanna people believe that we can have the great happiness after make merit. And visit the highlight temple, Phra That Pha Ngao the ancient temple of Chiang Saen district. Lunch at local restaurant. Afterward, drive up to Choui Fong Tea Plantation. the biggest tea producers in the city of Chiang Rai, situated at the top of a hill with a bird’s eye view of the surrounding fields.
Overnight in Chiang Rai (B, L, D)
DAY 8: CRUISE MEKONG RIVER
Chiang Rai
After breakfast, check-out and depart at 07.00 hrs. for a boat trip on the famous “Maekong River” at Golden Triangle. Golden Triangle where Sop Ruak and Mekong Rivers create a natural border of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Stop for a short visit to the House of Opium where a variety of the dark histories of this beautiful and rich region in the Northern Thailand are exhibited. Then, continue to have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, proceed to visit Wat Rong Khun (or called White Temple) which was designed and built by the famous artist Chalermchai Kositpipat in 1997. Continue the journey to Chiang Mai via Doi Saket scenic route. Chiang Mai is once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom (1296-1768) which later became the Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774 to 1939. Arrive at Chiang Mai. Check-in at hotel in Chiang Mai. Evening Khantoke Dinner with Thai Northern Classical Dance.
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai (B, L, D)
DAY 9: ELEPHANT CARE
Chiang Mai
Breakfast at a hotel. Transfer to Mae Rim elephant home. It takes about 1-1.5 hours to drive. This half-day morning you will enjoy the Elephant Care Program which you will learn more about elephant behavior to care, to love and understand the lifestyle of Thai elephants. Learning the basic word to say with elephant. Learning about Herb and Food for Elephants. Walking exercise with the elephants enjoy bathing and brushing their bodies. Lunch at the elephant camp. Afternoon, learn more about Elephant at Elephant Poopoopaper Park is an eco-friendly, naturally built, outdoor museum park focused on introducing and explaining the unique steps involved in making the world-famous paper products from elephant poop fibers. You can also join the various DIY crafting activities after the tour and decorate and design your own one-of-a-kind POOPOOPAPER products. Then dinner in a local restaurant and back to your hotel for overnight.
Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B, L, D)
DAY 10: CHIANG MAI
Chiang Mai
Morning city and temples visit such as Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh (Temple of the Lion Buddha), one of the finest classic Lanna Style architecture in Northern Thailand where house a very highly revered Buddha image named Phra Sing Buddha. Then, experience the local’s live by visiting Chiang Mai local market called “Warorot Market”. Lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, proceed to visit to Doi Suthep (1676 m. AMSL), the landmark of Chiang Mai where the beautiful pagoda of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, built in 1383 during the reign of the King “Kue-Na”, is located. the top of the Doi Suthep, enjoy a beautiful panorama view of Chiang Mai city.
Overnight in Chiang Mai (B, L)
DAY 11: CHIANG MAI – TRANSFER TO THE ISLAND
Chiang Mai – Hat Yai or Koh Samui – Koh Lipe or Koh Tao
After breakfast transfer by a/c vehicle to Chiang Mai airport for your flight to Hat Yai or Koh Samui (depending on your chosen island). Arrival at the Airport. Pick-up by the hotel representative – Joining-up transfer by a/c vehicle and private boat. After your arrival on the selected island, free time to rest and to enjoy the wonderful seaside of Thailand. Time for leisure to enjoy the beach.
Overnight in Koh Lipe or Koh Tao (B/D)
Day 12: Relax in Koh Lipe or Koh Tao
Koh Lipe or Koh Tao
Full day rest for leisure on the beach or participate in an activities or excursions.
Overnight in Koh Lipe or Koh Tao (B/D)
Day 13: Relax in Koh Lipe or Koh Tao
Koh Lipe or Koh Tao
Full day rest for leisure on the beach or participate in an activities or excursions.
Overnight in Koh Lipe or Koh Tao (B/D)
Day 14: Relax in Koh Lipe or Koh Tao
Koh Lipe or Koh Tao
Full day rest for leisure on the beach or participate in an activities or excursions.
Overnight in Koh Lipe or Koh Tao (B/D)
Day 15: Relax in Koh Lipe or Koh Tao
Koh Lipe or Koh Tao
Full day rest for leisure on the beach or participate in an activities or excursions.
Overnight in Koh Lipe or Koh Tao (B/D)
Day 16: Departure from Hat Yai or Koh Samui
Koh Lipe or Koh Tao – Airport
After breakfast, transfer to Hat Yai or Koh Samui airport depending on destination with private boat and car. Departure by international flight.
HOTEL CATEGORIES: 3 STAR SUPERIOR, HERITAGE AND ECO-RESORT
We have selected traditional and beautiful period hotels with excellent services for the duration of the tour. A scrupulous selection was made for all the hotels, based on the criteria of social and environmental impact. In Chang Rai we have selected a beautiful eco-lodge which is part of community-based projects aiming at the protection of the cultural heritage of the mountain tribes. In Koh Lipe and Koh Tao, splendid seafront eco-resorts have been selected with all the comforts and with the possibility to participate in activities organized directly by the resort.
During the cruise between Bangkok and Ayutthaya you will have lunch on a traditional restored rice barge. Private air-conditioned vehicles will be used for the transfer from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai. For the transfer to the island (Koh Lipe or Koh Tao) at the end of the tour, a domestic flight and a sea transfer are included.
The Thailand climate is tropical and monsoon. The territory can be subdivided into many microclimates. You can basically distinguish three seasons, a first cool and dry season from November to February, when it blows the north-west monsoon; a second hot season from March to mid-May; and the rainy season from May to November, with short bursts of water. The best moment to visit Koh Lipe island is from October to March, and for Koh Tao the best months are from April to September.